Patriots' Dont'a Hightower: Listed as non-participant

Hightower (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's injury report.

The Patriots didn't actually practice, but if they had, Hightower likely would have been absent. He also missed practice all last week, ultimately getting a 'doubtful' designation on the Friday injury report. Jonathan Freeny and Shea McClellin covered most of Hightower's vacated playing time Sunday against Miami, both logging a little more than half the defensive snaps. With the Patriots on a short week ahead of Thursday's game against Houston, the 26-year-old Hightower is in serious danger of missing a second straight game.